CompTech Club Neilabjo Maitra

Mockingjay (Hunger Games III)

This book was just as good as the other Hunger Games novels!  (Read Catching Fire and Hunger Games first).

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins, 390 pages

               Imagine having to lose many close ones, while millions of others die too because of an act performed by the viewer!  Katniss Everdeen is in exactly that situation in Suzanne Collins's Mockingjay, which is the Hunger Games series's third and last part.  Katniss learns in between the 2nd and 3rd book that District 13 is an existing district that is completely underground.  Since District 12 has been completely demolished, that is where the survivors including Katniss now call home.  The revolution picks up speed, and Katniss becomes the symbol of it.  However, Katniss's mental state is horrible, and when Peeta is rescued from the Capitol, she realizes that he has been treated with anti-Katniss venom, but throughout the book he gets better.  Many people die throughout the revolution, and Katniss feels that it is all her fault.  Will Katniss and the other rebels be successful? Mockingjay was a great novel, and it wraps up the series pretty well although it can get pretty depressing.

Catching Fire (Hunger Games ll)

Welcome to part two of the Hunger Games!  This one was really good too, although at parts of it I thought of The Hunger Games were better.  (Read my Hunger Games Blog first).

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins, 391 pages

               Imagine being the cause of a revolution in a nation.  That is the situation that Katniss Everdeen faces in Suzanne Collins's Catching Fire, the second part of The Hunger Games.  During the Capitol's cruel "Victory Tour" for winning the Games, Katniss and Peeta learn that when Katniss pulled the berries to save both of them, everyone perceived it as an act against the Capitol, thus creating a revolution.  Then, it is time for the quarter quell Hunger Games, which are basically a glorified version of the Hunger Games that occur every 24 years.  It is announced that this time, past winners shall be competing against each other.  With Peeta's help, Katniss trains for the games, but Katniss's goal this time is only to save Peeta.  Will she succeed in keeping Peeta and maybe herself alive?  Throughout this adventure packed novel, Katniss Everdeen shows courage and perseverance.  If I were Katniss, then I wouldn't even have existed for any longer than the first page of the book.

Computer Lab 5-31

               Is it possible that a sixth grader is already thinking about their future job?  The answer is YES!  Today in computer lab, our class used pre-selected websites to look for jobs that will fit our needs.  First, we learned about how much money we will be adequate for us to live in the lifestyle that we want to.  My needed salary was pretty high: over $7,000 a month!  Anyway, with that pre-calculated sum of money, we looked for a job that would fit our interests and money needs.  Jobs that fit my needs were Aerospace Engineer, and Surgeon.  However, according to the next website that our class tried out, the job that best fit me were all along the line of the human brain and studying health and space.  This website used only our job interests though.  Using the information I received today, I shall have an easier time picking my career when I need to.

Click here to view the websites we used today.

The Hunger Games

I read the Hunger Games, and the series was excellent!  OOPS I just gave it away; I read the whole series (plus one book) before writing any of the blogs on them.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, 374 pages

               Imagine having to kill your opponents (some of whom happen to become or be friends) in a forced game.  That is the situation that Katniss Everdeen in Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games faces.  This haunting story takes place in the future at a nation called Panem (in the ruins of North America).  Panem has an evil capitol named Capitol, and 12 districts.  In the Hunger Games, which are games that the Capitol holds, a boy and a girl from each district come to the capitol and fight to death in a large arena (only 1 out of 24 live).  Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place since she had been randomly picked.  Along with Katniss comes  Peeta Mellark from her district, and unfortunately he had saved Katniss earlier when she and her family were starving.  In the end, both Katniss and Peeta survive (after dramatic love between themselves during the games) causing a revolution to start breaking with the districts being against the capitol.   Friendship (aka love) plays a major role in this book as does good versus evil.  Certainly, Katniss faced many hardships throughout this book, and I would certainly not want to face them.

Science Lab 5-24

              Today in science lab, we studied the spreading of pollution using tiny little plastic teddy-bears.  Throughout our "experiments," we slowly increased the number of polluted bears.  My group had a coincidence: our polluted bears kept mating against probability.  However, we still noticed the drop in animal population as pollutants increased although by the end, most group's bears had gone extinct.  Certainly, pollution affects the natural environment greatly.

             Also, today in science lab we learned about Rube Goldberg devices.  These devices are complicated machines that result in a simple task being performed.  Here is a Honda Accord commercial that used a great Rube Goldberg device.

Honda Accord 2008 Commercial  HAVE FUN!

UCLA!!!!

               Wow!  UCLA offers so many amazing opportunities!  I had no clue whatsoever about the exciting parts of college like going to Hong Kong, etc.!  Of course this amazing college is among the top ten universities of the US!  Everything is made for the students, to make them happy while they learn.  Certainly, UCLA is one of the most user friendly colleges that exist!
             When one sees the majors list offered by the University of California at Los Angeles, they probably faint!  It is stupefying (not to mention terrifying) to see how long that particular list is.  All sorts of weird educational (isn't that fascinating) majors that I would never come up with show up.  For example, not only does HISTORY exist, but so does American Indian Studies, American Literature and Culture, African Languages, etc (Notice: I am still not done with the A's).  If I were to major right now, I was pretty sure I knew, but that was before I saw the list.  I guess I would do Chemical Engineering or Physics.  Probably I would like to also minor in something having to do with music.

Pictures

I know, that is very cruel of me.

I can't wait to experience a day in one of the world's best colleges!

Science Lab 5-10

               Today, scariness filled our hearts in science lab.  PLASTICS here, PLASTICS there, PETROLEUM everywhere; that is a very brief overview of what science lab taught us today.  We learned about plastic, which is a petroleum product that can be very harmful.  Even with its drawbacks of causing autism and health problems, plastic also has a good side.  It is used to make helpful medicines including vitamins, and cars without tires made out of petroleum would sure be unsafe!  However, that does not mean that plastic is good.  Everywhere one looks, they see petroleum products if not plastic (petroleum has the same drawbacks as plastic), and as mentioned before, plastic is a harmful substance.  Here are only some products made from petroleum or plastic: polyester, carpet, clocks, watches, eyeglasses, ink, computer parts, phones, the keyboard I am typing from, varnish (which is there on about every wood product), erasers, paint, phones, TVs, pens, desks, chairs, cans, bottles, etc.  To solve the plastic problems, in science lab, we discussed ways to prevent excess exposure from plastics.  Science lab today has caused me to become more aware of the products I am using, and it is also making me make better decisions at Costco....

Computer Lab 5-3

               Is it possible to be stuck in a situation where the states of matter, writing explanations, and inferring ideas are needed for survival?  If it is, then computer lab was certainly very useful today.  Using the online website Bitesize again, our class learned and reviewed Language Arts and Science.  This time, we got to pick our own topics from the previously mentioned sections.  First, I went to the Reading section under Language Arts where I learned about inference and deduction using a "creepy" activity.  Next, under the Science section, I did the activity about changing states.  Here I reviewed the three different states of  matter (gas, liquid, solid), and the needed temperatures for water to change states.  Finally, I learned about writing thorough explanations using an activity dedicated to that purpose under the Language Arts section.  The activities I performed using Bitesize today will help me while I write, and make me think about reading materials more.

Computer Lab 4-26

               Imagine being an architect who has no idea about geometrical shapes (2-d and 3-d), and doesn't have a clue about angles.  To stop that incident from ever occurring, today in computer lab, we used Bitesize Math to learn about geometry.  Using the first activity on Bitesize, I was able to review the difference between numerous 2-d figures.  Additionally, the exercise (aka game) helped me relearn the classification of 3-d shapes while helping me understand nets of 3-d shapes more.  Finally, using the last activity we did using Bitesize Math, I was able to get a good review on angles and their classification.  This will help me in the upcoming CST testing.  Also, if I am ever designing an architectural piece, this information from Bitesize Math will definitely prove to be useful.  Bitesize Math's different geometry activities will help me throughout my life.

Computer Lab 4-19

                Imagine having a huge group of numbers which need to be handled properly.  How can that issue be solved?  To solve that problem, today in computer lab, we learned how to handle data using Bitesize Math.  On the first exercise, the activity taught us about different kinds of graphs, including tally charts, bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs.  The second exercise creatively helped our class revise mean, median, mode, and range which are the measures of central tendencies.  Finally, the third video taught us about probability.  Using the skills I learned today, I will always be able to make sure that my data sets are evaluated correctly.  

Artemis Fowl; The Atlantis Complex

This was a great novel, but I think I like the other Artemis Fowl novels more.

Artemis Fowl; The Atlantis Complex, by Eoin Colfer, 357 pages

                

               Is it possible that Artemis Fowl in Eoin Colfer's novel, Artemis Fowl; The Atlantis Complex is losing his  mind?  Artemis Fowl, probably qualified as the smartest human being ever, is ill with the Atlantis Complex.  Just in time too; Captain Holly Short, an elf's, old enemy is trying to destroy the major fairy city of Atlantis.  Artemis must be cured or at least be able to use his brain in order for Atlantis to be saved.  Bravery is presented by Holly throughout this novel.
               I know as a fact that I liked to read about Artemis in his intellectual self, but hopefully that will happen in the next novel that's about to come out!

Science Lab 3-29

I did a silly fantasy conversation with a remote controlled "talking" car.  It is kind of long, but I hope you enjoy!

or visit this

Superhero

Here I am as a superhero!  I think I look foolish though, but there isn't anything I can do about it now!

Artemis Fowl; The Time Paradox

This was also an amazing novel full of science fiction, or science?  The future will tell.

Artemis Fowl; The Time Paradox, by Eoin Colfer

                In this book, Artemis is being nice again.  His mother is sick, and the illness she has requires a silky sifaka lemur's brain fluid, but Artemis himself sold the lemur to the Extinctionists with Butler when he was 10, to fund rescues for his father.  Kindly, Holly and No. 1 came to Artemis's help when he called for it.  Now, the 18 or 15 year old Artemis will go to the past and hope to conquer his younger self with Holly to get the lemur to his mother.  It is very nice of Artemis to go through so much pain for his mother!  In the past, everything is not like he remembered, and he asks the younger Mulch Diggums for help in exchange for money.  After a lot of painstaking work, Artemis gets his hands on the lemur and rescues Holly who had been kidnapped.  However, that isn't all.  The younger Opal Koboi was behind a lot of this adventure; she wanted the lemur, for if she did, she would be the most most powerful person in existence.  This is just what Opal would be expected to do.  When the older Artemis and Holly travel to the future, they realize that there are 2 Kobois in the present; one's from the past.  Therefore, Artemis brings his younger self along too.  Eventually, Artemis's mother is cured and the Opal Kobois are put in fairy prison.  Artemis the younger is also sent into the past and mindwiped.  This was an exciting book full of science fiction.

Artemis Fowl; The Lost Colony

Although all of them were extremely good, this one was my favorite in the Artemis Fowl series.

Artemis Fowl; The Lost Colony, by Eoin Colfer, 385 pages

               The Lost Colony was one of the best fiction novels I've read.  For a change, Artemis Fowl surprisingly is trying to save the demon's  colony in a different space time dimension and nothing will come to his benefit other than adventure; Artemis's wish most certainly comes true!  The demon's island, Hybras, was put in a  space-time spell and was pushed off to a different space time dimension.   Now, that spell is wearing off, and it is again up to Artemis and his friends [Holly, Butler (Artemis's bodygaurd), Mulch, and Foaly] to save the demons.  Demons would end up in random dimensions causing demons to die if support was not provided.  At this point though, the demons are directly attractd to the Earthen space- time dimension, and energy is needed for travel through the space-time channel.  Demon Warlok No.1 uses a volcano's energy and is here in our dimensions as Artemis expected.  It would of course be normal for Artemis to find out about this kind of things!  However, a girl called Minerva turns out to be just as smart as Artemis, but not as kind and thoughtful.  She kidnapped No. 1 so that she could win the nobel prize.  This really seems like Artemis in the previous books.  After a lot of work, Artemis and his friends conquer Minerva's allies.  Eventually, Minerva is on Artemis's side and the whole group arouse another powerful in magic warlock called Qwan.  Through some tricky science, the nearly dead group of Holly, Artemis, No. 1, and Qwan go to Hybras and use magic and bombs as energy to take the demon island of Hybras in to our present space-time dimension.  However, since Artemis was a little off, the group ended up three years in the future; Artemis has twin brothers!  This novel's science is really amazing and sensible, but that doesn't stop adventure!

Artemis Fowl; The Opal Deception

Artemis Fowl; The Opal Deception,by Eoin Colfer, 497

               It is not easy to imagine a 13 or 14 year old boy saving the world three times, yet Artemis Fowl performed that unimaginable task.  In Eoin Colfer's fourth novel in the Artemis Fowl series, The Opal Deception, Artemis saves the world yet again.  Opal Koboi, who was supposedly in prison, had actually escaped and was making new plans of taking over the world; after revenge!!!!  Opal murdered Julius Root while making the LEP that Holly was the one who performed the crime.  Next, Koboi tried murdering Artemis, but before that could happen, Holly saved Artemis.  With the help of Mulch Diggums and Foaly, Artemis and Holly save the world once again.  A main theme of this novel is good versus evil.  I was really amazed by how much struggle the good people went through to save the world (Artemis has turned into a nice person, so now he counts as good).

Computer Lab 3-22

               Computer Lab was full of fun and learning this week.  We watched an amazing video about the new computer that raspberry pi made; it is completely stupefying to me!  I can't imagine how much advanced technology is to allow so many different activities to be performed in such a tiny object!  The interesting thing is how cheap that computer is; it is only a little bit more costly than my remote control helicopter!  Anyway, we worked with another autodidactism site today called "Bitsize," by BBC.  Mr. Jost told us to start out on math, and I went to the algebra section.  There, I learned some simple Algebra formulas.  After a while, when we were told that we could go to Language Arts or Science, I learned a little bit about forces such as gravity and how they work.  Finally, Mr. Jost asked us to do him a "favor" by visiting a site with math games.  During this time, I played a game in which we saved the world by plotting on a graph by finding the x and y relationship between the Earth and the meteor.  At first I didn't understand it and failed, but later I re-figured it out (I had done this on Khan Academy during winter vacation).  I have learned many important skills in computer lab today that will help me in the future.

Artemis Fowl; The Arctic Incident

Oops!  I read the whole series of seven books but didn't blog!  Blogging time!

Artemis Fowl; The Arctic Incident, by Eoin Colfer, 277 pages

               Is it likely that a 12 or 13 year old will trade the task of saving the world, if the other side (fairies) save the child's father?  Well, it turns out that that does happen.  The moment Captain Holly Short, Julius Root, and Foaly discover the attempt of goblins trying to take over the fairy world and secure information that a human's helping, of course they suspect Artemis Fowl.  It is only expected for this to be the case after the kidnapping of fairies and stealing of gold!  Everyone in the world would suspect him!  Well, it turns out that Artemis is not behind this all.  Since Artemis was there anyway, Root decided to take Artemis's help to figure out what really was going on.  If I were the fairies, I certainly would not have made that decision.   Artemis was a cruel, and greedy person.  Saying that, Artemis used this opportunity to help himself; he tried rescuing his father with the fairies' help after helping them get to the bottom of their own mystery.  It turned out that a horrible fairy pixie, Opal Koboi, was using her intelligent brains to try and overthrow the LEP.  She mesmerized a human to help the goblins.  Opal certainly proved that Artemis Fowl isn't the worst person in the world!  She wants to rule the world, fairy and human, by revealing the fairies to humans and making them fight.  With the help of Mulch Diggums, a criminal dwarf, Artemis, Holly, Root, and Foaly stop Koboi and her ally, Cudgeon from seizing the fairy world.  Now, they went to the Arctic, but will Artemis's father be saved?